Composing mechanism foe linotype machines



' (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y 0.MERGENTHALER.

GOMPOSING MECHANISM FOR LINO'I'YPE MACHINES. Nq. 531,266. Patented Dec. '18, 1894.

(No Model.) 5 .Sheets-Sheet 2.

O.MERGENTHALER. COMP-USING- MECHANISM FOR LINOTY PE MACHINES.

N0. 531,266. Patented D60. 18, 1894.

w 'ia HHBlllmlillmllllllllllllllEilllllllll (No Model.) v

. 0. MERGENTHALER.

GOMPOSING MECHANISM FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES. No. 531,266.

Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

0. M-ERGENTHALER. comrosme MECHANISM FOR LINOTYPE MAGHINBS.

No. 531,266. Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

F' 9,7, omZime .6 6.

I HIIUW wwwuow I h z fl' I {No-Model.) I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. .0. ME-RGENTHALER.

GOMPOSING MECHANISM FOR LINQTYPE MACHINES. I

No. 531,266." PatentedDe c. 1 1894.

m mwww m b w 1 =5? 7 ll IHIEIHMH i L k R n L 98 m n NORRIS Pzrzns 00.. PHO'TQLHHQ, WASNINGTO UNITE STATES PATENT I OFFICE.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGN OR TO THE MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

4 CJOMPOSING MECHANISM FOR LINOTYPE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,266, dated December 18, 1 894. Application filed April 17, 1893. Serial No. 470,790- (No model.)

To all whom it may (am teem..-

Be it known that I, OTTMAR MERGENTHA- LER, of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland,

have inven ted a new and useful Improvement in Oomposing Mechanism for Linotype-Machlnes, &;c., of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to the Mergenthaler linotype machine of the form shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 436,532, dated September 16, 1890. In that machine the matrices, to be subsequently collected and assembled in line, arearranged in channels in an inclined magazine, from which they are delivered, one at a time, by escapement devices connected with the finger-keys; the matrices after being released descending through intermediate channels in their course to the assembling point. The present invention is directed more particularly to an improved finger-key mechanism for operating the escapement; to improved means for speedily connecting and disconnecting the rods through which the escapements are actuated, in order that the magazine, carrying the escapements, may be readily. removed from the machine, in order to permit the application of a magazine containing matrices forcharacters of a different face or design; to means for speedily connecting and disconnecting the guiding channels or passages through which the matrices are delivered from the magazine; and to means for sustaining the transparent cover in front of said channels.

I have limited the drawings herein to'such portions of the Mergenthaler machine as, are necessary for an understanding of the present improvement and reference may be had to the drawings of the above mentioned patent for the other details of the machine.

Referring to the drawings-Figure 1, is a front elevation of the magazine and composing or assembling mechanism. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the same with the parts in operative relations. Fig. 3, is a like elevation with the parts disconnected to permit removal of the magazine. Fig. 4c, is a side elevation of the key board and its connections with parts broken away to show the internal construction in vertical section. Fig. 5, is a vertical cross section through the key board cam mechanism showing the parts on one side in action and on the other side at rest.

Fig. 6, is a horizontal section on the line 66 Figs. 4 and 5, looking downward. Fig. 7, is

a view showing in perspective one of the finger keys and its principal connections. Fig. 8, is a view looking downward from the line 8-8 Figs. '2 and 3 and showing the movable 6o guide for the keyboard bars. Fig. 9 is a verthe keyrods and throwing them into and out "of engagement with the escapement devices.

Fig. 10 is a side View of one of the key-board cams, through which the escapement devices are actuated, showing particularly its sliding stop pin.

A represents the magazine or matrix-holder, which maybe of any suitable form, but

which as represented herein consists of top and bottom plates rigidly connectedby separating or spacing blocks and provided in 75.

their'inner faces with grooves or channels to receive the edges of the matrices, which are guided through the magazine from its upper to its lower end. The body of the magazine is attached to and sustained by an underly- 8o ing frame or plate A, which serves to keep it from twisting and to sustain it on the main frame, of the machine. At the lower end the magazine is provided with escapements C,

one for each channel, consisting of the centrally pivoted lever provided at its ends with two pawls or dogs a c, which are projected by the vibration of the lever upward through the bottom plate of the magazine alternately,

in order to permit the escape of the matrices o 7 one at a time only. Each escapement is acted upon by a spring 0 which tends to depress the upper pin. The position of the escapement lever to discharge a matrix is reversed by means of a rod D, the upper end 5 of which is hooked into a notch in the rear end of the lever as shown. This series of rods, one for each escapement, are mounted U permanently in the main-frame, and guided vertically, each rod being pulled downward roo when released by means of a spring E, connected to its upper end. To effect the lifting of the rod,which causes the action of the escapement, I provide the key mechanism shown in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive. Each rod stands at its lower end over the end of a horizontal actuating lever F, moving on a horizontal pivot f, at its outer end, the lever being sustained normally in an elevated position by the end of a pawlG, the opposite end of which enters a notch in the vertically sliding bar II, notched to receive one end of a finger key I, which is centrally pivoted in the main-frame, so that when the front end of the finger key is depressed, the dog is thrown from under the actuating lever F, and the latter permitted to fall. Each actuatin g lever contains in a vertical slot therein, a cam J, turning on a horizontal pivot, and overlying a constantly rotating roll K, which extends across the key-board from one side to the other underneath the entire series of cams. Each cam contains a transverse sliding pin L, acted upon by a spring M, which tends to keep one end of the pin projected beyond the periphery of the cam as shown in Fig. 10. When the actuating levers are in the elevated position,shown in the left hand in Fig. 4:, and the right hand in Fig. 5,the cam pins bear against an overlying bar N, in the mainframe, holding the cams in such position that they are prevented from dropping down into contact with the roll. \Vhile the parts are in this position, the cams are inactive and the es capements remain at rest. When however,the key is depressed and the actuating lever F, permitted to fall, the cam is permitted to fall with the actuating lever so that it contacts with the roll, the same action disengaging its stop pin R, from the bar above. The frictional action of the roll causes the cam to revolve on its pivot, and the cam, owing to its form, acts to lift the actuating lever F, not only to, but above its original and normal position, whereby the lever is caused to act against the lower end of rod D, as shown in Fig. 5, lifting the rod against the resistance of spring E, so that its upper end reverses the position of the escapement and causes a discharge of the matrix. As the cam continues its rotation the actuating lever is again lowered, but is arrested in its descent by the dog G, at its original position, allowing the pin to stop against the bar and prevent further rotation of the cam, and also allowing the rods D and II, to stop in their original positions.

In order to secure the action of the dogs, springs O, are arranged to act with depressing effect on the bars H, but it is to be understood that these springs are not necessary.

It is to be observed that in the above organization, the movement of the escapementactuating rods is etfected mechanically and positively and that the finger keys serve only to unlock the operative parts. This arrangement in substantially the form set forth and specified in the claims is the distinguishing characteristic of my mechanism, and it may be embodied in a great variety of forms performed.

zine is to be removed and replaced.

having essentially the same mode of action; the only requirement being that the fingerkeys shall be arranged substantially as described and shown to bring into action mechanism by which the work in view is actually The arms may be varied in form, supported in any suitable manner and combined with trip devices and finger-keys arranged in any way which will cause the same to be thrown alternately into and out of action, substantially in the manner described and claimed. It will of course be understood that the operating mechanism herein described may be used not only in connection with the special form of escapements herein shown, but with any other equivalent devices arranged to effect the release of the matrices.

As the magazine as a whole is simply rested or supported on top of the main-frame, and adapted to be lifted off at will, it is necessary to provide some means for quickly throwing the actuating rods D, out of engagement with the escapement levers, and quickly throwing them into engagement again when the maga- I therefore extend the upper ends of the rods through slots or notches in a guiding frame P, arranged to slide forward and backward horizontally on the main-frame, and provided wit h arms 10, connected to crank arms 1;, on a rock shaft 12 which is mounted horizontally in bearings on the main frame and provided at one end with an operating han dle 19 by means of which the guide frame P, may be moved forward and backward so as to throw all the bars at the same instant into or out of engagement with the escapements. Spring p acting on the arms of the frame P, tend to hold it forward so as to maintain the engagement of the parts. In order that the frame I, may be guided so as to prevent lateral movement, and insure the guiding of each rod to its proper place, I provide the frame with projections 1', arranged as shown in Fig. 9, to enter notched blocks or arms i fixed rigidly to the under side of the magazine. The engagement of these parts insures the instantaneous and accurate alignment of all the escapements'with their actuating rods. The essence of the invention in this regard resides in controlling the rod by an adjustable guide, actuated substantially as set forth and it is to be understood that the details may be varied at will provided only a mode of action analogous to that above described is observed. On emerging from the magazine the matrices fall through passages or channels in a connecting guide R, and thence through lower channels in a guide S, whence they pass to the point of assemblage in the ordinary manner. In order to permit the ready removal and replacement of the magazine, and to permit the ready inspection of the interior of the magazine at its mouth, I hinge the channeled guide plate R, to the main frame at r, so that it can be turned downward and forward from its normal position shown in Fig. 2, away from the mouth ofthe magazine, to the position shown in Fig. 3.

In order to hold the frame Rin place when in use, I mount it on the spring arms and provide it at the upper edge with a projectment ofthe lip.

Obviously any other form of locking or fastening device which will answer the purposes of that described above may be employed. The springs are, however, advantageous in that they serve to hold the parts under all circumstances in close connection; The division plates or ribs between the channels of the plate R, are divided at their lower ends as shown at r Fig. 1, to fit over the upper ends of the ribs in the plate S, thus avoiding the existence of. any shoulders or projections against which the matrices could strike in descending.

The channel plates are both covered at the front by an overlying glass plate T, suspended at its upper end by horizontal pivots t, in arms projecting from the guide plate B so that when thelatter is turned forward the glass plate is carried forward and downward to the position shown in Fig. 3. The movement of the parts when thus turned is limited by a supporting arm U, pivoted to the main-frame and forked at its upper end so that it may be turned forward or outward from its folded position to a position in which its forked end will receive and sustain the glass supporting arms.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with the escapement device and its actuating red, the actuating lever carrying an eccentric, the continuously driven roll thereunder, and the finger-key mechanism for sustaining and releasing the lever, whereby the eccentric is held normally out ofrcontact with the roller action of the key and is caused to throw into action the eccentric for operating the escapement.

2. In combination with the escapement eperatin-g rods, the actuating levers, their eccentrics, the constantly driven rolls, dogs to sustain the levers, the finger-keys and connections thence to the dogs.

3. In combination with the escapement operatingrods, the springs connected thereto, the actuating levers, their eccentrics, the rolls,

the finger-key mechanism to sustain the lever, and the stop-pin movably mounted in the eccentric. p

4. In combination with the escapement actuating rod H, the actuating'lever, its eccentric provided with a movable stop, the constantly driven roll, the lever sustaining dog, the dog actuating bar, and a finger-key connected thereto.

5. In combination with type releasing devices an actuating mechanism, consisting of 0 levers carrying cams, rolls to turn the cams and thereby actuate the lovers, means for holding the cams normally outof operative contact with the rolls, and finger-keys to trip them into action. g

6. In combination with the magazine and the series of escapements, the series of operating rods, the guide plate through which they pass, and the rock-shaft and its arms for adjusting said plate.

7. In combination with the magazine, its

escapements, and their actuating rods, the

movable guide frame through which they pass, said frame adapted to engage the magazine and secure lateral alignment of the parts. 8 5

8. In combination with the magazine a channeled mouth-piece hinged to swing to and fromits operative position in order to expose the mouth of the magazine.

9. In combination with the main frame--.

the magazine detachably oonnectedthereto, the channeled mouth-piece or guide hinged to swing from its operative position, and the spring arms whereby it is sustained.

10. In combination with the magazine and 9 5 

